The shocked woman went upstairs and found Karen lying under the loft hatch. It is thought she could have been dead for hours before being found.

She alerted police and neighbours came round to find Karen's youngest children Bethany, four and son Jaydeen, three, sitting in the living room watching TV.

The children were in their pyjamas and Elise explained she had been looking after them and fed them cereal and milk.

Karen had five children. Her eldest sons Deran, 10 and Daniel, seven, were staying with grandparents Roy and Lorna Russon, in Poplar Rise, Tividale.

Roy, aged 52, said: "We are heartbroken. I can't stand thinking of the children in the house while their mum was dead upstairs.

"When the police knocked at the door on Friday night I knew straight away Karen was dead. We had carol singers at the door while the police were there. I have wanted to take down the Christmas decorations, but you've got to carry on for the sake of the kids."

Lorna, aged 49, said: "She loved her children to bits. They have all been very brave."